RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CATHEPSIN-D, PS2 PROTEIN AND HORMONAL RECEPTORSIN BREAST-CANCER CYTOSOLS - INCONSISTENCY WITH THEIR ESTABLISHED PROGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE

In this study the unexpected findings from the analysis of 278 breast cancel tissue specimens are reported. A surprising strongly positive c orrelation between an unfavourable and a favourable prognosis with mar kers cathepsin D and pS2 respectively, was revealed by linear regressi on analysis (Pearson, Student-T-Test). In the relevant literature revi ewed only one similar; although indirect, observation was found. On th e other hand, a weak relationship between pS2 and ER has emerged using the same method while the pS2/PgR association remained strong The lat ter supports the hypothesis that pS2 positivity is associated with pos itive PgR and may be a marker of functioning ER, irrespective of ER st atus. These and other similar findings underline the need for a better understanding of the underlying molecular events as well as the neces sity of an effective prognostic evaluation model for breast cancer.